I think the Swedish film LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is a perfect fit for Criterion.
I feel same way about INLAND EMPIRE. I’m sure there are reasons for Lynch’s previous films not being included, but INLAND would be a nice start, as I think it shows a new direction for the artist.
And, I agree with you guys on BRICK, THE FALL, and THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
Uwe Boll definitely makes the list, but I can almost excuse his existence. I saw him last year at a festival doing a Q&A for POSTAL, his pathetic attempt at making something controversial. He obviously enjoys the negative attention, though he seems to want his movies to be better. As long as video game companies keep paying for these “commercials”, he’ll keep making them. It seems they just like that he works fast and cheap and does what he’s told (which is the problem with most of these guys) and they don’t really care about quality. They just want to get the dvds out. I think the only thing that’s a little interesting about Boll’s movies are the casts he manages to scrape up.
Friedberg and Seltzer are a worthy addition. Who keeps paying for that garbage?
Antoine, I wanted your name, but you got to it first.
I know how you feel, but I agree that Scorcese, especially, and Spielberg mostly, can still put out good work.
I think Coppola has always been overrated, and only has GODFATHER 1 and 2.
Lee, I appreciate your thoughts on Lucas. I also tend to think he resents his STAR WARS legacy, and he should have let others direct the prequels if he had no love for the job. He’s worthy of his own topic, if not several.
I would also like to add Paul W.S. Anderson to the pile. Not to be confused with P.T.A., in case you are unfamiliar with his work. He’s another video game adapter and is also responsible for AVP and the recent DEATH RACE retrash.
This is a great bit of Lynch. I like all three segments, but particularly love the Crispin Glover and Alicia Witt story. I have a well viewed vhs dub of it. I would love for someone to put it out on dvd, along with Lynch’s short lived network sitcom ON THE AIR.
Barry Levinson, absolutely. He hasn’t made a quality film in decades, and he really cranks ‘em out.
I would give Tony Scott THE HUNGER (though I haven’t seen it in years) and TRUE ROMANCE (which again, is all about Tarantino’s script and the cast). The rest is pretty much crap, especially DOMINO (written by Richard Kelly, who will one day join this list).
These guys, like Schumacher, have had long careers, and in most cases their movies are flops at the box-office, as well as critically.
So, why do they keep getting work? Is it because the studio heads love them, and they would rather stick with the mediocre work they are familiar with, than take a chance on new talent? I think, in general, they’ve been given too many free passes, and aren’t even widely considered to be bad directors.
I think No.3 is BARTON FINK as well. The blackened in glasses make it hard to tell, but looks like Goodman, when they are sitting on the bed.
No.5 is definitely FULL METAL JACKET. Animal Mother running through the bombed out city.
The one with all the faces is BEING JOHN MALKOVICH.
I hope they add more choices too.
Since, we kind of have two different topics going here, directors that never had it, and those that had it and lost it. I’m going to start a separate thread for the latter. I hope no one minds. I think both topics are valid and interesting.
“At one point you’ve got it, then you lose it, and it’s gone forever.”
What directors, actors, writers, etc. do you think have lost their touch, maybe forever.
At what point did they lose it? Why do you think this happened?
We’ve had some discussion of Lucas, Coppola, Speilberg, Scorcese, and Carpenter on other threads.
I’m also a little leary of a remake, especially one so recent, but I have loved every film he’s made so far.
THE LIFE AQUATIC, which alot of people seem to consider Wes’ drop off, I think was a step forward for him. His most ambitious work up to that point. I think he’s trying to stretch himself into new areas, like animation, and people that think he is a one note filmmaker aren’t looking very hard.
Blue Underground is doing great work. Thanks for bringing it up here.
If you like their stuff, check out these other small companies that I’ve come across.
Diabolik DVD
Synapse Films
Code Red DVD
Mondo Macabro
Severin Films
Also, books from FAB Press.
And, thank you Grindhouse.
I saw the youtube clip too, and I really hope it’s legit, and that this project gets completed. He doesn’t have the best track record in that area.
Does anyone know what ever happened to SONS OF EL TOPO?
He hasn’t let me down yet.
He draws from diverse and interesting sources and makes them his own.
I think he will become one of the great filmmakers before he’s done.
Agreed Belmondo. It would be redundant, and I wouldn’t want to have to replace a lot of titles in my collection.
Besides, while I’m sure a lot of creators would like Criterion to release their films. In many cases the filmmakers have already said everything they want to about a film, and they want the work to speak for itself. They chose not to do commentaries.
I’m with SHOTZI, unless you go back to Carpenter’s THE THING and HALLOWEEN, THE SHINING, and THE EXORCIST. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT is the only recent contender.
Does Cronenberg’s THE FLY count, he is Canadian.
Why can’t we scare people anymore?
E.T.? Do you really think that’s his crowning acheivement? Why don’t you just call him out for HOOK?
He also made JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS…, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, THE COLOR PURPLE, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, SCHINDLER’S LIST, and MUNICH. Check ’em out.
When I say "A Perfect Film", What One Film Pops Into Your Head First? over 3 years ago
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK comes to mind,
followed by BLUE VELVET, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, and recently, for me, PERSONA.
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favorite funniest movie over 3 years ago
GHOSTBUSTERS just keeps getting funnier every single time I see it.
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WHICH MOVIES...PUT OUT IN LAST 5 YEARS...DO YOU THINK WILL ONE DAY JOIN THE CRITERION COLLECTION? over 3 years ago
I think the Swedish film LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is a perfect fit for Criterion.
I feel same way about INLAND EMPIRE. I’m sure there are reasons for Lynch’s previous films not being included, but INLAND would be a nice start, as I think it shows a new direction for the artist.
And, I agree with you guys on BRICK, THE FALL, and THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
Go to Comment
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago
All of Lynch’s, Kubrick’s, and Jodorowsky’s films.
CHINATOWN,
HAROLD AND MAUDE,
Some Carpenter, Fulci, and Argento would be cool.
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Classic movies you can't get on d.v.d. over 3 years ago
FREEBIE AND THE BEAN
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Movies people seem to love for all the wrong reasons. over 3 years ago
DONNIE DARKO, for sure. It uses “the 80s” as a crutch.
JUNO. It is what it claims to hate. I’ve never seen a movie try so hard to look like it’s not trying to be cool.
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Best camerawork in a movie...handheld or otherwise. Or best use of the camera to convey the scene's intention. over 3 years ago
Conrad Hall’s work on ROAD TO PERDITION serves the story beautifully. You can watch the entire film without sound and understand everything.
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Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
but, they get to keep working anyway.
Let’s start with
Michael Bay
Joel Schumacher
Roland Emmerich
Brett Ratner
Who else?
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Whats the scariest film ever or some of ur favorites over 3 years ago
Definitely THE SHINING, THE EXORCIST, and HALLOWEEN.
More recently JU-ON: THE GRUDGE
And David Lynch has always gotten into my nightmares.
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Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
Uwe Boll definitely makes the list, but I can almost excuse his existence. I saw him last year at a festival doing a Q&A for POSTAL, his pathetic attempt at making something controversial. He obviously enjoys the negative attention, though he seems to want his movies to be better. As long as video game companies keep paying for these “commercials”, he’ll keep making them. It seems they just like that he works fast and cheap and does what he’s told (which is the problem with most of these guys) and they don’t really care about quality. They just want to get the dvds out. I think the only thing that’s a little interesting about Boll’s movies are the casts he manages to scrape up.
Friedberg and Seltzer are a worthy addition. Who keeps paying for that garbage?
Antoine, I wanted your name, but you got to it first.
I know how you feel, but I agree that Scorcese, especially, and Spielberg mostly, can still put out good work.
I think Coppola has always been overrated, and only has GODFATHER 1 and 2.
Lee, I appreciate your thoughts on Lucas. I also tend to think he resents his STAR WARS legacy, and he should have let others direct the prequels if he had no love for the job. He’s worthy of his own topic, if not several.
I would also like to add Paul W.S. Anderson to the pile. Not to be confused with P.T.A., in case you are unfamiliar with his work. He’s another video game adapter and is also responsible for AVP and the recent DEATH RACE retrash.
Go to Comment
Hotel Room over 3 years ago
This is a great bit of Lynch. I like all three segments, but particularly love the Crispin Glover and Alicia Witt story. I have a well viewed vhs dub of it. I would love for someone to put it out on dvd, along with Lynch’s short lived network sitcom ON THE AIR.
Go to Comment
Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
Barry Levinson, absolutely. He hasn’t made a quality film in decades, and he really cranks ‘em out.
I would give Tony Scott THE HUNGER (though I haven’t seen it in years) and TRUE ROMANCE (which again, is all about Tarantino’s script and the cast). The rest is pretty much crap, especially DOMINO (written by Richard Kelly, who will one day join this list).
These guys, like Schumacher, have had long careers, and in most cases their movies are flops at the box-office, as well as critically.
So, why do they keep getting work? Is it because the studio heads love them, and they would rather stick with the mediocre work they are familiar with, than take a chance on new talent? I think, in general, they’ve been given too many free passes, and aren’t even widely considered to be bad directors.
Go to Comment
WHICH MOVIES...PUT OUT IN LAST 5 YEARS...DO YOU THINK WILL ONE DAY JOIN THE CRITERION COLLECTION? over 3 years ago
Danny Boyle’s SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is pretty great.
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Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago
BREAKING THE WAVES
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Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
DePalma! Thank you! A perfect example of career long, consistently terrible filmmaking.
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the movies in My Style / Profile Images over 3 years ago
I think No.3 is BARTON FINK as well. The blackened in glasses make it hard to tell, but looks like Goodman, when they are sitting on the bed.
No.5 is definitely FULL METAL JACKET. Animal Mother running through the bombed out city.
The one with all the faces is BEING JOHN MALKOVICH.
I hope they add more choices too.
Go to Comment
Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
Since, we kind of have two different topics going here, directors that never had it, and those that had it and lost it. I’m going to start a separate thread for the latter. I hope no one minds. I think both topics are valid and interesting.
Go to Comment
Who do you think had it and lost it? When? and Why? over 3 years ago
“At one point you’ve got it, then you lose it, and it’s gone forever.”
What directors, actors, writers, etc. do you think have lost their touch, maybe forever.
At what point did they lose it? Why do you think this happened?
We’ve had some discussion of Lucas, Coppola, Speilberg, Scorcese, and Carpenter on other threads.
Go to Comment
Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
Oh my god!
I can’t believe I forgot about McG!
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Wes Anderson doing "My best Friend" Remake over 3 years ago
I’m also a little leary of a remake, especially one so recent, but I have loved every film he’s made so far.
THE LIFE AQUATIC, which alot of people seem to consider Wes’ drop off, I think was a step forward for him. His most ambitious work up to that point. I think he’s trying to stretch himself into new areas, like animation, and people that think he is a one note filmmaker aren’t looking very hard.
Go to Comment
Blue Underground over 3 years ago
Blue Underground is doing great work. Thanks for bringing it up here.
If you like their stuff, check out these other small companies that I’ve come across.
Diabolik DVD
Synapse Films
Code Red DVD
Mondo Macabro
Severin Films
Also, books from FAB Press.
And, thank you Grindhouse.
Go to Comment
KING SHOT (2009) over 3 years ago
I saw the youtube clip too, and I really hope it’s legit, and that this project gets completed. He doesn’t have the best track record in that area.
Does anyone know what ever happened to SONS OF EL TOPO?
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Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago
DEAD MAN really needs it.
New version of METROPOLIS, great call.
And I second THE DARK KNIGHT and GRINDHOUSE (complete), in a perfect world.
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Favorite auteurs missing from the profile selection box. over 3 years ago
Jean-Pierre Melville is a big oversight.
Personally, I’d like to see Lucio Fulci.
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Best title over 3 years ago
THE PHANTOM MENACE
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Do You Like Wes Anderson? over 3 years ago
He hasn’t let me down yet.
He draws from diverse and interesting sources and makes them his own.
I think he will become one of the great filmmakers before he’s done.
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Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 3 years ago
Agreed Belmondo. It would be redundant, and I wouldn’t want to have to replace a lot of titles in my collection.
Besides, while I’m sure a lot of creators would like Criterion to release their films. In many cases the filmmakers have already said everything they want to about a film, and they want the work to speak for itself. They chose not to do commentaries.
Go to Comment
Best title over 3 years ago
BLADE RUNNER
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
CLOVERFIELD
C.H.U.D.
DEATH PROOF
THE DARK KNIGHT
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WHAT MODERN...AMERICAN...HORROR FILMS SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE CRITERION COLLECTION? over 3 years ago
I’m with SHOTZI, unless you go back to Carpenter’s THE THING and HALLOWEEN, THE SHINING, and THE EXORCIST. THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT is the only recent contender.
Does Cronenberg’s THE FLY count, he is Canadian.
Why can’t we scare people anymore?
Go to Comment
Who do you think the most overrated director is? over 3 years ago
E.T.? Do you really think that’s his crowning acheivement? Why don’t you just call him out for HOOK?
He also made JAWS, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS…, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, THE COLOR PURPLE, EMPIRE OF THE SUN, SCHINDLER’S LIST, and MUNICH. Check ’em out.
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